New COVID cases come down from last week's high, hospital numbers continue rise
WORCESTER — Following the highest reported seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the city since February last week, the average for new cases dropped this week while hospitalizations have continued to rise.
On Friday, the the Worcester Department of Public Health COVID-19 dashboard was updated to report that the city's seven-day average for new coronavirus cases stands at 105.6, down from 128.9 cases cases a day from the week before.
Over the past seven days, 739 new cases were reported in the city for a total of 57,593 since the start of the pandemic.
The positivity rate for the past two weeks was recorded at 5.35% Friday.
Inpatient numbers increased over May 13, with 96 people hospitalized in Worcester's health care systems, up 24 from the previous week. In addition, 13 are in intensive-care unit beds, an increase of two patients.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still considers Worcester County to have a high community level of transmission and the indoor and crowded areas mask advisory issued by the city last week is still in effect.
In addition, two deaths from COVID were reported this week, leaving the total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Worcester at 536.
The city reports 63% of residents are fully vaccinated and 74% have received at least one shot. Of the fully vaccinated population, 50% have received at least one booster shot, a percentage point increase.
The city recorded 234 first doses administered over the past week, 175 becoming fully vaccinated and 327 people receiving booster doses.
The concentration of COVID-19 detected in Greater Worcester wastewater recorded May 15 decreased from a previous recording conducted May 11.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: New Worcester COVID cases come down from last week's high
